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Can Living Happier Mean Living Longer?

January 1, 2019 By Christine Field

This post may contain affiliate links.

An end to our physical life is inevitable.  That pretty much is a fact. While most people will turn to science and technology to try to extend their lives, there is actually a much cheaper alternative.

It’s called happiness. Let’s talk about three different ways happiness can lead to a longer life.

word for the year

1. You’re more content when you’re happy

Do you feel like you’re always chasing something in your life? Whether it be the latest gadgets, romantic interests, professional opportunities, etc., we all can’t seem to stop moving and working towards something. Chasing goals and dreams is important too, but when does it all stop? When is enough actually enough?

When you’re happy, you’ll realize that there are some things in life not worth going for. There are some prices that are too high to pay.  For instance, trying to get into a high-risk profession may be worth a lot of money, but it’s going to have adverse effects on your health. Or you’d go after you something that you think is going to make you happy, only for you to realize in the end that it’s slowly taking away your sanity. You could end up rich beyond your wildest dreams, but in exchange, you’ll be cutting your life short.

In my practice as an attorney, I have met many wealthy people. Some are downright miserable. I think about them when I am tempted to take on more work, or to spend longer hours at the office.

 

2. You’re more resilient when you’re happy

 

Life is filled with countless problems and challenges. If you’re not careful, these challenges can quickly overpower you. However, when you’re happy, you’re more likely to be resilient.

When you have a foundation of happiness that does not depend on your circumstances, the challenges of life are easier to bear.

Where others are going to let problems consume them, happy people are more likely to let them slide. Because of an inner core committed to happiness, happy people seem to respond to problems more positively than unhappy individuals.

 

3. You’re more likely to take good care of your body when you’re happy

 

When you’re happy, you want to take good care of your body. This means you’re not going to do anything that’s going to cause it some harm. You’re not going to abuse it by eating tons of junk food, getting drunk every single night, or stressing yourself out at work. Instead, you’ll make sure you only eat healthy food, you’ll exercise regularly, and you’re not going to sacrifice your body for a few extra dollars on your paycheck.

I completely understand the busy lifestyle. But we can all learn to carry a salad to work, talk a walk over lunch, or do an exercise routine or video in the office. I highly recommend Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home videos.

Remember, happiness doesn’t equate to wealth. You can be happy and not have a lot of material possessions. Likewise, you can be wealthy but be deeply unhappy. It’s up to you who you want to be.

If longevity matters to you, I suggest you prioritize happiness.

I intend to be old and joyful. It beats being old and cranky!

 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

Filed Under: Happiness Tagged With: happier you, happiness

Previous Post: « My Word for 2019: Happier
Next Post: Short Haircuts for Mature Women »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

    January 8, 2019 at 11:54 pm

    Hi Christine, what a positive way to start 2019 and I believe that we all want to be happy and that happiness has so many health benefits for us. My 92 year old MIL moved to aged care after her husband of 70 years died. She has blossomed there because she is happy and content. She enjoys all the activities, is well cared for and we visit regularly each week. Thank you for introducing us to the e-book and thank you for sharing with us at #MLSTL. Have a great and HAPPY 2019!

  2. Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au

    January 9, 2019 at 2:05 am

    Happiness is something I’ve really started taking responsibility for Christine – for most of my life I’d tied it to other people and to life’s circumstances. Really it all comes down to choosing your attitude and owning yoru happiness. I love that you’ve put it all in an e-book and good luck with your venture x
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

  3. Christie Hawkes

    January 10, 2019 at 7:10 am

    Live longer and enjoy it more–that’s a win-win, Christine. I especially appreciate that you mentioned you can be happy without dependence on outside circumstances. You can have peace even in the most turbulent of times. That is resilience in a nutshell. Here’s to all of us being a little happier in 2019!

  4. Victoria

    January 11, 2019 at 10:38 pm

    Being happy can be elusive sometimes but most of the time I do find peace. I can see where being happy can lead to longer life.

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Hi, I’m Christine

Have you been a wholehearted mother, but time, toddlers and teenagers have moved on? If you are wondering what comes next for you, you’ll feel right at home here.

Or, are you a mom for whom family life has been non-Pinworthy and parenting has been downright painful? I hear ya. There are many of us around.

Are you looking for a life full of exploration and adventure after the nest empties, but maybe you have no idea how to go about doing that? Stick around! We’ll explore adventures together to help you gain more clarity for your own path.

After a couple decades of writing books and articles about parenting, homeschooling and adoption, speaking to homeschoolers and other parent groups, and reaching out to the mom in the trenches who was trying to make the best of it - my kids grew up. Some grew up and grew away. I was determined to find a way out of the pain, emptiness and lack of direction.

For many of us, the journey starts with something we moms are not accustomed to. After years of caring for and serving others, sometimes we forget the beauty and wonder of US. We need to spend some time getting to know the parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, and take the time to explore interests and passions that we set aside.

I’d like to invite you to get the “What’s Next for Mom” workbook and jump into this growing tribe of Moms who are emptying the nest and filling the life! Let’s reignite your Mojo after Mothering!
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About Christine

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At Real Mom Life, my passion is to provide resources and reassurances for moms facing the surprising challenges of family life. In my writing and speaking, I explore solutions to unexpected issues in adoption, homeschooling, special needs, and more while encouraging moms to extract the maximum joy out of each day. Read More…

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